The present sketch of Comrade Maslov’s theoretical
misadventures is borrowed from the book by N. Lenin which gives a
systematic analysis of the tendencies in our agrarian
development. Naturally, the exposure of the “original” agrarian theories
of Maslov, which are saturated with a spirit of t.he most crude
revisionism, inevitably involves the criticism of some propositions in the
Party programme also. We think a discussion in the Party press on this
question is quite timely.

As for Comrade Maslov’s theoretical “discoveries”, we have to address
a few words to Comrade Plekhanov in particular about them, since he is the
guardian angel of our agrarian revisionist.

In No. 6–7 of Golos Sotsial-Demokrata, when discussing
momentous theoretical issues, you deigned incidentally to launch upon
evasive and ambiguous remarks which are nothing short of
indecent. You took upon yourself to declare in print that
such-and-such members of our Party were no comrades of yours,
while at the same time you lacked the courage to explain openly and plainly
whether you had decided to withdraw from our organisation, or whether you
sought the expulsion of such-and-such members from it. That was at once
cowardly and rude.

So meditate a little, incorruptible warrior, over the revisionist feats
of your Maslov. They fall, if anything does, under that little local
authority where you, judging by published literature, have the reputation
of a dread Dumbadze. Where then is your criticism of Comrade Maslov’s
revisionist fabrications? Where is your defence of the economic
theory of Karl Marx? And who, if not you, gave Maslov every support and
encouragement?

Our Party
Famusovs[2] are not unwilling to play the part of mercilessly determined
fighters for Marxism—but in the service of factional favouritism they
don’t mind covering up very serious departures from Marxism!

Notes

[1]This note was published in the newspaper Proletary as an after
word to the article “Pyotr Maslov Corrects Karl Marx’s Rough Notes”
(see The Agrarian Programme of Social-Democracy in the First Russian
Revolution, 1905-07, present edition, Vol. 13, pp. 300-07).